What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill changes the rules for the heads of four Commonwealth bodies: ACIAR, Austrade, the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. It cuts most terms to five years, adds new reasons to sack or suspend office holders, lets ministers set performance standards, and lets the Attorney-General give general directions to the law-drafting office. The debate focused on accountability at work versus the balance of power between ministers and parliament.
Arguments made in support
The Government said office holders should be removable for serious misconduct, such as bullying, harassment, discrimination or corruption, just like most working Australians.
Government members said current rules give few options when conduct or performance falls short, and the bill brings them up to modern workplace standards.
The Government said the nuclear safeguards director is treated differently, with no poor-performance sacking ground, to protect its independence.
Labor members said normal procedural fairness still applies, and suspensions beyond three months require consultation, with a 12-month limit.
Independent member Allegra Spender called the bill unobjectionable, though she asked whether it was the best use of parliament's time.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said the bill shifts power from parliament to ministers, who could set standards, judge performance, suspend and sack office holders.
Coalition senators said performance standards need not be tabled, published or open to disallowance, and the bill does not define unsatisfactory performance.
The Coalition asked why only these four bodies were covered and opposed the bill in the Senate after a committee inquiry was refused.
Coalition speakers said the new directions power over the law-drafting office and suspension power over the nuclear regulator could affect their independence.
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts said the bill could let ministers pressure senior public servants, and called parts of its wording sloppy.
167 speeches by 12 members in the House and Senate over 6 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 11 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 3 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 4 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 23 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 24 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Australia's Voice
1 Yes
0 No
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
3 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.